TBK-Light.com

Remember, though, that the entry process will be different next year. Current teams will have priority and since they already have cars they won't be 'blocking' others from entering, so to speak.

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I'd love to see the BTCC become what it was 15 years ago, but I hope that, if new works teams do enter next season, the development doesn't become to intense and drive costs up massively ala super touring.
Until 2014 comes around and I actually see said teams on the grid, I'm not getting my hopes up just yet.

The main problem with the escalating costs of Super Touring was that the FIA didn't properly regulate what the manufacturers were doing to with build and development of cars. Some cars were more akin to prototypes than being based on the road going counterparts.

NGTC is a British owned set of rules being run and regulated by TOCA, so I cannot see a repeat of the Super Touring era (in terms of development and costs containment).

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BTCC Pick Em's Champion 2010
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http://www.the-fastlane.co.uk

Looking back on some season reviews, the team orders were getting massively out of hand too....none of that please!

2014 is looking epic, it's nice to have one championship around that's getting things right.
All we need to cement a perfect season is for Plato to announce immediate retirement after issuing a full confession and apology for all the incidents he caused over the years...

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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIaKIE ... 5t9d5PvoHA

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Looking back on some season reviews, the team orders were getting massively out of hand too....none of that please!

2014 is looking epic, it's nice to have one championship around that's getting things right.
All we need to cement a perfect season is for Plato to announce immediate retirement after issuing a full confession and apology for all the incidents he caused over the years...

_________________
RIP Birmingham Wheels: here's some of the crash videos I recorded when it was there:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIaKIE ... 5t9d5PvoHA

Twitter:

http://www.twitter.com/paulhadsley

And you dislike Plato so much you decided to post your feelings twice lol

Well, what we need is Menu put into one of the Renaults, then Thompson placed in a Honda. That would be nice.

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BTCC Pick Em's Champion 2010
Formula Fun Cup Champion 2013
http://www.the-fastlane.co.uk

The biggest risk to the BTCC at the moment is that while the sport becomes more professional and successful, the show itself becomes more boring. TBH losing Plato would be the worst thing for BTCC in that regard.

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True, as much as I hate the wanker, BTCC needs its pantomine villian.

Is BoP really needed then? I thought it was ridiculous that the first race of the season was the ONLY race of the season where every car was on the same level.

Great news that Mercedes confirmed for next year. When did we last see a Mercedes in BTCC? Did we ever see any 190E's in the 80's?

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According to wiki it was 1986 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986_Briti ... hip_season

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BTCC Pick Em's Champion 2010
Formula Fun Cup Champion 2013
http://www.the-fastlane.co.uk

Yeah, and that was only a prodsaloon. There haven't been any Mercs entered regularly since the mid '60s.

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True, I forgot that was the real reason, my ST history is a little rusty.
I can only really remember the epic racing, rather than politics.
Like Phil mentioned, another concern is that, as the series gains more attention, the series directors don't become complete "dick-tators" like the DTM/WTCC where rubbing fenders results in a drive through.

Does Toyota currently have any factory involvement in the BTCC, or are the Avensis' purely private efforts?

Avensis are purely private. Only Honda and MG are manufacturer entries.

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BTCC Pick Em's Champion 2010
Formula Fun Cup Champion 2013
http://www.the-fastlane.co.uk

I see, I wasn't sure if they helped at all in developing the Avensis. Cheers Kals!

Clios are expanding to a 9 round calendar next year, so they'll be at all of the rounds bar Thruxton.

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Oh excellent. Means they will be at Knockhill then. Wonder if that means the Mini's are off the bill thought.

I'd expect so, which would be a shame.

Unless the really treat us and do have both!

No one's spoken to them about it yet but the general feeling is apparently that they wont be on next year unless one of the other supports doesn't come north. Paddock space and timetable issues would come into play.